The Future of Assistive Technology: An In-Depth Q&A on Nagish's Vision

In this week’s special episode of The Buzz, we're doing things a bit differently. Instead of hosting a guest, I'm getting into the questions that have been flooding my inbox about Nagish, our mission, and my own journey in the world of accessible tech.

You asked, and I'm here to answer! I'll be sharing insights into the heart behind Nagish, the challenges and triumphs of building tech that breaks barriers, and how my personal experiences have shaped our vision for a more inclusive world.

Whether you're a long-time Nagish user, are just discovering us, or are simply passionate about accessibility, this episode is for you.

Be sure to catch the full episode here:

Let’s get into it.

Q: Why does Nagish matter? Why now?

A: Nagish matters because one in every eight to ten Americans experiences hearing loss. Historically, speech-to-text wasn't widely available, fast, or accurate enough. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals had to rely on an interpreter, stenographer or captioner to make a phone call. There was always a middleman.

Nagish uses AI and automated speech-to-text to translate conversations in real-time, with no intermediary and even higher accuracy than the average human transcriber. This empowers people to connect directly and privately.

It's never been a better time to build an assistive tech company. The AI revolution is making what was impossible five years ago a daily reality now. Just like you watch Netflix with captions, you deserve to communicate with captions too. Nagish is making that happen.

Q: What is one seismic shift you're seeing for the assistive tech industry, and how will it play out over the next five years?

A: AI is definitely going to impact the field of assistive tech. We're already seeing a bunch of startups popping up with exciting new technology. For example, Be My Eyes recently launched "Be My AI" which allows blind and visually impaired individuals to get visual assistance instantly through AI, instead of relying on human volunteers. It's making the service more scalable and accessible.

I think over the next five years, we'll see AI enable things we couldn't do before. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people won't have to wait for an interpreter or captioner - they'll have immediate access through AI-powered tools. We may see AI that can translate sign language in real-time, or caption speech with even higher accuracy. The possibilities are really exciting, and I believe AI will shape the industry in powerful ways, removing barriers at an unprecedented scale and pace.

Q: Why are you personally motivated to build Nagish?

A: Honestly, Nagish began as a side project. My co-founder Alon and I never set out to start a company. We were two engineers who learned that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals couldn't have a phone conversation without a third party listening in. It blew our minds. We thought, we can fix this, so we did.

We built a prototype, and the response was incredible. Google wrote about us and invited us to speak at conferences. We realized how life-changing Nagish could be. Then COVID hit, and the need exploded. Overnight, the world went remote, but Zoom didn't have captions. Deaf people were cut off.

Every time a Nagish user shares how we helped them stay connected in lockdown, get a job interview, or call their grandkid for the first time, it lights a fire in me. Tens of thousands of people now rely on us daily to communicate. Knowing we're making a real difference – that's what drives me.

Q: How can I convince a loved one to open up about their hearing loss?

A: I went through this with my own dad. He'd ask me to repeat myself constantly, but got defensive when we suggested hearing loss. What I learned the hard way is, don't give feedback right after a miscommunication. It comes off as criticism when they're already frustrated.

Instead, find a calm, caring moment to ask, "When was the last time you checked your hearing?" Share facts, like how prevalent hearing loss is, and that there are so many new tools to help. Explain how much easier communicating would be for you both if they took that step.

The key is, don't frame hearing loss as a personal failure or a curse. It's a medical condition, and an opportunity to take action to improve your quality of life and relationships. Approaching it without judgment, from a place of love, is the seed of change.

Q: What insights and lessons have you gained from building Nagish?

A: Everyone's hearing journey is unique, even with shared struggles. We call it "feedback whiplash" – one user begs for a feature that another says gives them headaches! It's taught us the golden rule of accessible design: one size never fits all.

The "Apple approach" of deciding what's universally best doesn't work in this field. The more customizable we make Nagish, the more people we empower. Build in toggles, make every feature optional. It's more work, but it's the only way to serve our diverse community well.

Q: How has Nagish impacted you and your outlook personally?

A: Immersing in disability inclusion has awakened me to the daily battles others face. I can't unsee it. Last week, I watched a woman in a wheelchair try to enter a pizza shop, only to find a single step blocking her. No ramp. The employee just shrugged, "It's a small step, can't you go over it?"

I was shocked, but this is reality for people with disabilities. The root problem is lack of education and awareness. Most folks aren't malicious, they're oblivious. That one step could so easily be fixed with a ramp if the builders had inclusivity in mind. But they didn't, so now it's on all of us to advocate.

Inclusion has to be proactive, not an afterthought. When I attend an event without captioning now, I speak up. It's not enough to wait to be asked. We need to constantly put accessibility on the table until it's the norm. That's the mission, and the mantra, I now live by.

Q: What tips would you give someone experiencing hearing loss for the first time?

A: First, get your hearing tested by a professional. Learn your hearing profile, how it may change, and what solutions exist, from captioning apps to sign language to hearing aids. Audiologists are an ally with deep knowledge of the latest tech and resources to help you adapt.

The Nagish blog is also an incredible free resource. We have articles on everything from coping with the early emotional stages of hearing loss to practical tips for advocating for yourself at work, school and home.

Visit nagish.com/blog to explore and find support.

Most of all, know that you're not alone, and you don't have to go it alone. There's a vibrant community ready to welcome and support you in places like Nagish. Hearing loss is a journey, and it may transform your life in tough ways, but also beautiful ones if you let it. You've got this.

Q: What makes Nagish unique from other accessibility tools?

A: Nagish pioneered phone captioning without human transcribers. Our AI speech engine is lightning-fast and hyper-accurate, so you catch every word. It works with your existing number – just download the app and it turns your phone into a captioned line. And it's 100% free, always, subsidized by the government.

For folks with speech difficulties, we built a keyboard option, so you can type to speak on calls. And our new Nagish Live app brings this same instant captioning to in-person chats too. Accessibility shouldn't be a luxury, so we're committed to providing these tools at no cost.

But beyond features, I think what makes Nagish unique is our community. We're not just building an app, but a movement. A society where everyone is empowered to connect without barriers.

Keep the Conversation Going

I hope this give you a better understand of the heart behind Nagish. I loved rifling through your questions and having the opportunity to share a bit of my own journey with you all. Please keep them coming!

You are the reason we do this work, and your voices, experiences and ideas are what propel us forward. Nagish is for you, and shaped by you. So drop a comment, slide into my DMs, and let's keep this conversation going.

Together, we're shifting paradigms and redefining what accessibility means, one call, one connection, one line of code at a time. Thanks for being part of The Buzz!

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